At least for one week of the year, we're all pilgrims.

It's turkey trot season in the Chicago area, and like the gobbling birds themselves, the races come large and small, but with all the trimmings. The races are always fun, and have a homecoming atmosphere as runners from out of town lace 'em up for a bit of running before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with their friends and families around Chicagoland.

A few smaller turkey races already have been run, but things really get rolling this Sunday, starting with the 27th annual Ray Williams Lincolnwood Turkey Trot. The north suburban event features 5K and 10K runs, a 5K walk and a drumstick dash for the kids.

While on-line registration has closed, you can sign up at Lincolnwood Parks & Recreation, 6900 N. Lincoln Ave., through Saturday, and on race day from 7 to 8:45 a.m. at the Proesel Park Shelter at Kostner and Lunt. Race day registration is $27 for the runs/walk and $10 for the drumstick dash.

Individual male and female winners in the 5K and 10K will be awarded frozen turkeys and turkey trophies. Last year, the 5K had 660 finishers as Emisael Favela of Chicago and Gloria Iverson (photo) of Lincolnwood took home the birds. In the 10K a year ago, there were 431 finishers as Ed Hickey of Madsion, WI and Karen Grabowski of Niles led their respective flocks.

The 5K and 10K begin at 8:45, followed by the walk at 9 a.m. and the drumstick dash at 10 a.m. A party and raffle follow. For more information, call Chicago Special Events Management at 773-868-3010.

Then, on Thanksgiving morning, the trotters really come out. Numerous races are on the schedule, headlined by the 26th annual Vertel's Turkey Trot 8K and Plymouth Rock Ramble in Lincoln Park, the Dan Gibbon's Run in Elmhurst, the Noon Lions Turkey Trot in Napervile and the Edison Park Turkey Trot and Kids Gobble Gallop on Chicago's northwest side. When you go to any of these events, you'll be joined by thusands of other runners and walkers. Those four events combined could attract a total of more than 12,000 participants.

There is a feast of other trots, large and small, from Palos Park to Glenview, and from Batavia to Oglesby. Most of the races encourage you to bring canned food for donation to local pantries.

To find a race near you, check out our searchable calendar at www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html